Kantu Peruviano - PADOVA

Besides my love for Italian food I am also a fan of ethnic kitchen. All over Italy I have my favorite restaurants (Greek, Indian, Thai, Chinese and many others). My international background and travels help me recognize easily the original and good ones and not tourist traps. Last week I discovered one in Padova, a Peruvian restaurant. Starting from its colorful and right storefront , straight after entering, the Kantu transports you into the colorful folklore of the Andes. A Peruvian restaurant not far from the center, people come here to discover the traditional dishes of Peru in a friendly spirit. The owner Javier and all his staff are very warm, welcoming and helpful guiding you through the menu making sure you try the typical dishes in the right quantities and timing. Leonardo was the waiter serving us and he is very prepared and accommodating. We started with a delicious cause that is a kind of a tower having different layers with two kinds of potatoes (talking with Javier we learned that Peru has more than 3.000 different kinds of potatoes) and tuna and avocado, but you can have it also with other fish or meat. It was delicious. We tried also the typical empanada with meat, the filling was delicious, the dough was perfect and not greasy at all and the finishing touch was the dip served with it made of parsley and peanuts, heaven in your mouth. As main dish we tried the famous Peruvian dish ceviche with croaker fish. This dish is made of fresh fish and other seafood and is “cooked” in lime juice and mixed with chili, coriander, onion and other flavorings, perfect mix. And that’s what is about those dishes, they mix simple and fresh ingredients with harmony and elegance in its simplicity. We didn’t drink wine or beer and tried cocktails with pisco (distilled beverage made of grapes). I had the typical Pisco sour and my partner in crime a special cocktail, top secret recipe, with lime, ginger and other ingredients with pisco but it was a perfect union of sweet, sower and spicy flavors. They were both amazing. We finished with a delicious dessert recommended by Leonardo, who makes also the sweets, puff pastry with chocolate. To end two chupitos of pure pisco. Time flew, we had a nice chat with Javier and he managed to express all his passion and feelings about Perù and his goal to involve his clients and make them love this culture and cuisine. And he and his staff are doing a great job! I was impressed by all the staff that explained the dishes as if they were native Peruvian, that’s the love and passion that we love in our blog.

I never gave up trying the “ethnic” kitchen: the culinary traditions of a people, wherever their roots are, are what most represents it from the point of view of the products of the territory and their oo. So I could not give up the opportunity to taste Peruvian cuisine, so I had a great curiosity in this local padova. Of course, not knowing these proposals, I entrusted myself to the councils of restaurateurs, diligent and very kind, as well as to the extro of the moment. raw materials are almost all known to the palate but some combinations are definitely unusual, as is right. in all sincerity I do not think I have enough cultural elements or comparison to judge with objectiveity the cuisine of the kantu restaurant but, while nourishing of instinctive reserves on some nurseries used, of other dishes still perfectly present the incredible explosion of colors and flavors. and, indeed, this does not happen often. among all the proposals that I choose to mention only the fresh ceviche of ombry fish, because it is surprising for the oo of spicy marinade juices and scented with flowers and olives that return singular emotions. the last positive note I dedicate it to the cuzco, a special cocktail that I found simply perfect to accompany Peruvian cuisine following the ardue lines but always mysterious of nazca of the soul.

We had a quick dinner here the other day. We were welcomed with enthusiastic smiles. Personal attention at the table. Great simple food (simple good).

My husband and I had dinner at Kantu last weekend and we loved it. We were looking for an alternative to Italian cuisine and Kantu didn’t disappoint. Service was really great, the waiters explained well the various dishes and the owner Javier came over to our table to inform us that one of the dishes we ordered was not available and if we were ok to replace it with another. All in all a great experience, I will definitely come back.

The empanada were amazing. The arroz con mariscos was like paella. The anticucho di corazòn is something special.